Flower holder



. March 8, 1927.

w. F. SCHMEISKE FLOWER HQLDER Filed Oct 11. 1923 INVENTOR M y- BY r 0 'p RTTO RHEY Patented Mar. 8, 1927.

STTES FATE "r res.

FLOWER HOLDER.

Application filed October 11, 1923.

My invention relates to a flower holder and more particularly to a device of the character described which is mounted in funeral pieces for decorative purposes and in the like floral displays; also a further object to provide a novel device of the character described, easily manufactured and which will permit of the secure holding of the flower stem in vertical position and the readily grasping of the stem and removing thereof with ease. One of the features of the invention is the provision of the flower holder having spring jaws and a recess therein for clamping the flower stems, and ear projections for grasping between the fingers for readily opening the jaws (which features are fully set forth in my U. S. patent, dated Gctober 9th, 1923, No. 1,469,823) together with corrugated supports for more securely mounting the device in the base, all of which parts being constructed from a single length of spring steel wire.

With these and other objects in'view my invention consists in the following novel features of construction and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of my device with the jaws closed.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my device with the jaws open.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of my device.

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of a modified form of my device.

Fig. 5 is a modified form of my device,

The same reference characters denote like parts in each of the several figures of the drawings. Referring to the drawings, A, designates a single length of wire which is shaped, bent or constructed into. the parallel jaw members 2, 2, each having therem a curved recess 3, 3. The wire material after forming the jaw members 2, 2 projects into the bent lever members 4, 4 and is again bent to a coiled spring formation 5 and in which curved formation the lever members 4, 4 are held apart by the two downward proj ecting vertical stems or prongs or pinshanks 6, 6, which stems are adapted to pierce or penetrate the moss or other structural base of the wreath or other ornamental formation Serial No. 668,016.

to be constructed. The projecting prongs or pinshanks 6, 6 are so bent in position as to rest between the lever members 4, 4; the bent lever members 4, 4 projecting back from the aw members 2, 2 are held apart in open formation and in resilient pressure against the prongs 6, 6, while the curved ends of the jaw members 2, 2 are drawn together by the same pressure of the coiled spring 5, in closed formation, when innormal position by the spring pressure from 5. The levers 4, 4 are designed to be engaged by the thumb and forefinger so that the aws 2, 2 may be opened in order to insert the flower stem therein or release the flower stem therefrom. The a-ws 2, 2 are provided with indentations to hold the stern of the flower. The prongs 6, 6 while shown at some length in the drawing are designed to be cut to any desired length, according tothe depth of the surface that they are to penetrate, whether moss or other subsurface, such as are commonly used in floral wreaths or funeral decorations. In the lower portion of prongs 6, 6, I have the crimps or corrugations 7, 7, 7 the object being by means of the crimps to have the prongs obtain a more secure hold in the moss or other base when inserted therein and prevent the holder from being easily moved out of its intended position.

In operation when I desire to insert a cut flower or several flowers in my device, I grasp my device with one hand, holding it by the prongs or supports 6, 6 and by the pressure of the thumb and finger of the other hand against the lever members 4, 4 the aws 2, 2 are opened and the stems of the flower or flowers may be inserted and then by releasing the levers 4, 4 the coiled spring 5 draws jaws 2, 2 together and the flowers are firmly held in a vertical position until released. The prongs 6, 6 are then pressed into the surface and the flower decoration is thus held in secure position as long as de sitely disposed jaws, spring controlled lever members for operating the jaws and prongs extending downwardly from the lever lnembersencl disposed therebetween, sa/icl prongs bein formecl of round wire-31nd oorrn 'ated in parallel so that the corrugations of one prong WllllBSt Within the eomu gatlons ozf the other prong when closed and friotionally engage the turf in Which the prongs are inserted. 10

In testnnony whereof- I have affixed my signaiune. n

F. SCHMEISKE. 

